The Russellville Democrat., 1887-12-21
~r AM LOOKING AT MAMMA.

dren, bidding them come to the library in half an hour and help him open his pack. Bessie well knew what that meant Papa had brought her lots of nice things as she explained to Nellie, assuring her that sine should have half of them. ''Oh Bessie, 2 was all the poor child could reply
 To her, the half hour spent in Bessie's nursery seemed little more than moment, as sine feasted her eyes on all the wonders there And Bessie herself soon forgot every thing else in the pleasure of exhibit ing them. The stroke of the clock recalled her, however, and seizing Nellie's hand they were off to the library like a whirl- wind
 Papa and awaited them there, and on the table before us was the mysterious pack, as he had called his large valise. Such a time as we had searching from among it's con tents the various bundles marked with ouI names
 Bessie clapped her hands delightedly as one after another of her beautiful toys was disclosed, and astonished her papa and me beyond measure by her liberality toward her little guest. who stood looking on and receiving what was given her without a word, seeming half-dazed with wonder and happiness.
 When the gifts had been distributed she stole quietly to retired window Bessie soon followed and found her absorbed in the contemplation of a miniature likeness. which she held in one hand while with the other she grasped the corners of her treas ure- laden apron.
 T am looking at mamma she said, in answer to Bessie's inquiry @See how she is smiling because l am 50 happy l was almost sure she would know.
 And she really does,r said Bessie, with sweet credulity. How pretty she iA Let's show her to papa and mamma, and, taking the picture from the unresisting hand, she ran to us, holding it ont and exclaiming;
 Look, this is Neilie's pretty mamma.
 Gan 1t be possible" gasped my husband growing deathly pale Margaret, it is the face of my poor, misg uided sister And this is her orphan, he continued, as he rose and took the frightened child in his arms
 Don't be afraid, little one. You shall never want fathers love while l live. Come, wife, come, Bessie, add your welcome to mine. for henceforth this poor little wait must have q place in our home anG hearts,
 We needed no second bidding, and hap pier family than ours could not have been found that day in all Christendom.
 The real cause of my husbands agitation on hearing the child's name was now made clear to me The name was his sisters, but not finding in the face the resemblance he sought, he had decided that Nelly Martin was too common name to be significant
 He had never spoken to me of his sister because, as he said, he could hardly bear to think, much less talk, of her She had been his boyhoods idol but had married nn- fortunately In her shame and disappoint- ment she had exiled herself from home and friends, cluding all search even after the death of her unworthy husband. which had occurred before Nellie could remember
 Fido, reinstated in his old place, now di- vides bis attention between his old and hia new mistress, and Nellie, in the genial at mosphere of our happy home, has become almost as plump and rosy us Bessie. She fondly believes that Santa Claus was instru- mental in bringing her to us, and wonders what he can do for her this Christmas to in any way compare with that
 MRS BARBARA WHTsoN